Experimental and numerical analysis of the effectiveness of FRCM strengthening on a parabolic tuff barrel vault

An experimental and numerical analysis of a tuff barrel vault is here proposed. The work focused on the structural behavior of a vault built in accordance with the traditional buildings of Apulia region. At first, the response of the unreinforced vault was explored under the imposition of a vertical settlement of the abutment. Afterwards, the system has been reinforced at the extrados by means of a Basalt FRCM, in order to define the capacity of the reinforced structure when subjected to an asymmetrical load condition. As the latter experimental stage is still in progress, advanced numerical simulations through Abaqus were carried out in order to reproduce the settlement step and to predict a reliable peak load that may be experienced by the reinforced vault. An heterogeneous micro modeling approach was defined, applying the Concrete Damage Plasticity model to the cementitious matrix and in the mortar joints. The tuff vouissors were assumed as purely elastic, whereas the fibers were modeled with an elastic-brittle behavior.